Cats are wonderful creatures and make perfect pets for families and single people alike, especially if you know some basic cat-care tips. Cats can sometimes cause problems due to their mischievous behavior and intolerance for other members of the household; however, sharing your household with a cat can be rewarding. With a few cat-care tips, you and your cat can share a peaceful coexistence.

Cats have been in contact with humans for thousands of years and, during that time, have become increasingly domesticated. Unfortunately, this hasn’t resolved all of the problems associated with having the four-legged friends living in your home. There is knowledge you should have to ensure a happy cohabitation between you and your cat. The following cat-care tips will help you understand your cat’s needs and ensure both you and your cat share a happy, healthy relationship.

1. ScratchingIt’s an age-old problem associated with felines and one that often deters people from bringing a cat into their home. It’s part of a cat’s nature to scratch to ensure that their claws stay trim and sharp for hunting, being the predatory animals they are. Cats will scratch whatever they can, and this often includes furniture, curtains and items of clothing. There are two ways of dealing with this problem, and the first constitutes one of the most important cat-care tips: work with the cat! Instead of always putting yourself at odds with your cat and its behavior, try to realize that some of your cat’s behavior is natural and your cat can’t help but do it.

Scratching is one of those natural behavioral traits. You can either buy a scratch post or make one yourself using some old bits of carpet and teach your cat to use the scratching post instead of your furniture or skin. Training your cat to use a scratch post can prevent them from destroying your furniture and other valuables.

2. CommunicationCats are very social animals and communicate with other animals and humans in different ways. One of the key cat-care tips is to start understanding your cat and the ways your cat communicates with you. This will make life much easier and foster a rewarding and loving relationship between you and your pet. Listen to the way your cat vocalizes under different circumstances and you will soon instinctively know when your cat is happy, sad, hungry or angry. The general beliefs about a cat’s meow or purr are usually wrong; there are many different sounds your cat makes that mean different and specific things. Since all cats are different, the best way to know is to listen and learn from your pet cat’s behavior. Cats also communicate how they are feeling by the use of their ears and tails. One key cat-care tip is that if a cat’s ears are pointed up, and they are alert, they are generally happy, exploring or offering a friendly greeting. When a cat’s ears are pointed down, or flat against its head, they are typically feeling frightened and may become aggressive. By watching your cat’s ears, you can often tell when you are doing something that is upsetting your cat and you can then stop or change your behavior.

Cats also use their tails to warn us and tell other cats they are annoyed to avoid confrontation. If you see your cat’s tail wagging in slow broad strokes, be aware that a swipe with a clawed paw may follow. Generally, the higher a cat’s tail is, the happier the cat.

3. Foods and Drink Most of the normal, everyday cat food from the supermarket is fine for your cat and can be bought with peace of mind. A mixture of meaty food and the crunchy variety is good, as this provides your cat with the right amount of nutrients and energy. The crunchy type of cat food often comes with added vitamins and minerals, essential for healthy fur, teeth and bones. Most cats will drink water, but probably not from the tap, as they will be able to smell the chemicals added to eliminate toxins. This is why you’ll often find cats drinking rainwater rather than the bowl of water you provide. Don’t ever give cats cow milk, as it can play havoc with their digestive systems. You can now buy small pots of feline milk, however, to provide an occasional and well-received treat.

4. Litter TrainingMost cats don’t mind using a cat litter tray as long as they’ve been trained to use one from a young age. Assuming your cat is young enough and not set in its ways, litter training can be simple with a little bit of time, patience and some common-sense cat-care tips.

Buy a suitable litter tray - plastic is the usual choice and the easiest option for cleaning. Use unscented litter because cats tend to dislike the scent of perfumed cat litters. For the less cooperative cats who may insist on using a plant pot or the carpet instead of a litter box, a little more training may be required. Place the tray in a quiet area of the house away from noisy equipment such as washing machines and choose an area that is always accessible to the cat. Show the tray to your cat and, if necessary, pick her up and place her in the litter. Praise your pet and let her acclimate herself with being in the tray; once your cat has used the litter tray for the first time, offer more praise and a treat. Also, clean out the litter tray often and thoroughly because cats like using dirty toilets about as much as we do!

5. BathingApart from being a great way to get fit and learn a new sport (cat-bathing martial arts!), washing a cat can be a torturous experience both for the cat and the person doing the washing. There are some effective cat-care tips that will prove invaluable when the time comes to bathe your cat. Always prepare everything in advance; this includes having all of the necessary supplies close at hand. Run the water at a low temperature, and be completely calm before going to fetch kitty.

Cats are one of the most intuitive animals on earth and will probably sense something bad is about to happen long before you approach them. Very gently and calmly, lift your cat and escort him to the now-still and quiet bathroom, stroking and talking to your pet at all times. Shut the door behind you and ease the cat into the bath. Your cat will struggle at first, but once he is immersed in water, he will comply with the wash (even though he may look miserable). Once the cat is clean to your satisfaction, immediately wrap him in a clean, warm towel and dry him thoroughly. Your cat will likely run off, shake himself and begin licking his fur to replace the natural shine. He'll hate you for a few minutes, but as soon as hunger sets in, he’ll be back to loving you the way he usually does.

Test Your Cat IQ!Many people can be broken down into one of two groups: cat people or dog people. While you may enjoy one animal over the other, do you really know the facts? Even if you have several cats roaming your home and a subscription to Cat Fancy magazine, some cat fanatics only know half the story behind their furry friends. If you think you fancy felines more than most, take this quiz to find out how cat-smart you really are!

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